Montgomery Mc Fate

Summary

A well known cultural anthropologist, Dr. Montgomery McFate has spent the bulk of her career in the service of various military organizations and think tanks. Garnering attention in recent years for contributing to the development of the U.S. Army’s Human Terrain System, McFate has focused her efforts on applying social science to military issues. Dr. McFate’s work in the field has earned her many awards, including the Roosevelt Science Award from the Navy League of New York, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy, and a fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Defense Policy. McFate’s scholarly work also garnered a variety of grants, such as the Smith-Richardson International Security Grant, the Mellon Foundation Research Grant, and the Council on West European Studies Grant. In addition to her work with a variety of defense organizations — such as the Office of Naval Research, the Institute of Defense Analyses, and the U.S. Army — Montgomery McFate remains active in the scholarly field. She has presented her work at a variety of conferences and educational institutions across the globe, including Dartmouth University, the Naval Postgraduate School and the U.S. Department of State. McFate holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Anthropology from Yale University, and a law degree from Harvard Law School. She is currently the Minerva Chair at the Naval War College.

Work History

Work History

2010 - Present

Minerva Chair

Naval War College

Education

Education

Juris Doctorate

Harvard Law School

Montgomery McFate

Montgomery McFate is a cultural anthropologist who presently works as a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Over the course of her career, Montgomery McFate has spoken at a variety of venues on subjects involving how social sciences influence warfare (and how warfare has influenced the social sciences). Anthropologists have been employed by the United States government for years, and some have argued that anthropology can be traced back to British colonialism in the 1800s. At the present time, the question is: is the profession underutilized? should it be utilized? Historically, applied anthropologists often drafted reports on various cultures and locations in order to prepare government personnel for the customs and behaviors they may encounter. Should anthropologists serve alongside soldiers in active combat scenarios? The usefulness of an anthropological understanding of a foreign country is not up for debate. In Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, nepotism ('wasta') carries no negative connotation and is instead viewed as a common means for supporting one’s family. This is one small example of countless cultural differences that can lead to needless hostility between U.S. soldiers and civilians. Anthropologists play a vital role in clarifying these matters. However, social science experts are hesitant in regards to an increased military presence, as anthropological insight could be misused. While most agree that the social sciences should continue to influence U.S. interactions with foreign nations, precautions must be taken to prevent abuse.

HTS Counters Insurgencies through Better Cultural Understanding

A cultural anthropologist focused on national security and defense matters, Dr. Montgomery McFate serves as Minerva Chair at the U.S. Naval War College’s Center for Naval Warfare Studies in Newport, Rhode Island. Dr. Montgomery McFate was quoted extensively in a 2010 HamptonRoads.com article focused on the Human Terrain System (HTS) that is utilized by the military in places such as Afghanistan. Dr. McFate and other social scientists assisted the Pentagon in the development of HTS, which was initially launched in 2006, with a $20 million budget. The program has focused on understanding the Afghan people from the inside, with an emphasis on fostering cultural understanding and preventing casualties among U.S. military personnel and Afghan civilians. An example of an HTS project involved hiring Afghans to survey fellow Afghans on critical questions prior to an election, including who was attempting to influence their votes and how safe they felt at polling stations. Dr. McFate characterizes HTS as a valuable program, as it enables an insurgency to be more effectively countered through understanding the local culture and society.

"Toddler Treasures in Newport, RI," by Montgomery McFate

Moving to a new place always takes some adjustment and some exploration to find the secret treasures only the locals know about. As a mom, my exploring has required a whole new lens of discovery - what would a toddler enjoy? Some of the great things around Newport, RI that we enjoy: 1) Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge. A wonderful place for a walk, and the best route with a young child in tow is the path that runs along the coast. Although this path is long at 1.5 miles, this route give you a couple of nice beach options (where boys will enjoy throwing stones into the water) and a beautiful field which often has a lot of birds. It gets muddy in spring and winter, so we are now pretty good at 'off roading' with the baby carriage. (I don't recommend trying to get a toddler to walk the whole way, since you will end up carrying them.) 2) Save the Bay Aquarium. This is a wonderful weekend afternoon winter activity, and will keep a little person occupied for a couple of hours. The aquarium is small, but it has a touch tank and some fun kid activities. The staff are marvelously tolerant and informative - and the flora and fauna are all local to the region so it gives kids a feeling for what's in the water. 3) Sunrise Restaurant on West Main Road. A great Vietnamese restaurant, and very kid friendly. The owners have small kids themselves, and so they are very tolerant of little people. Also, what toddler doesn't love noodles? The food is wholesome, fresh and delicious - and better than a lot of food I ate in Hanoi! Also, the fish tank is good for hours of amusement… About Montgomery McFate: A highly accomplished scholar, Dr. McFate holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Most recently, she earned the position of Minerva Chair at the US Naval War College. A resident of Rhode Island, Dr. McFate is a dedicated to finding fun stuff to do with a two-year-old.